Expressing preferences: using 'would rather' and 'prefer'

Summary

This 90-minute ESL lesson for B1 learners explores Expressing preferences: using 'would rather' and 'prefer' through a real audio recording. Across 12 interactive exercises, you'll develop listening comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, practical communication, speaking skills — all built around authentic English content.

What you'll practise:

• 5 key vocabulary items with definitions and usage notes
• Grammar focus: Expressing preferences with 'would rather' and 'prefer' with examples and practice
• Real-world phrases for making weekend plans with a friend
• Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
• Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings
• Error correction to sharpen grammar awareness
• A reading passage to practise newly learned language

Lesson activities (12 exercises)

Each exercise builds on the previous one. Work through them in order for the best learning experience.

1. Warm-up — Discussion questions to activate what you already know about the topic.
2. Comprehension — Answer questions to check your understanding of the main ideas and supporting details.
3. True / False — Test your detailed understanding — decide if each statement matches the source.
4. Grammar — Study Expressing preferences with 'would rather' and 'prefer' — explanation, examples, and key rules.
5. Error correction — Find and fix the mistake in each sentence — a great grammar workout.
6. Vocabulary — Learn key words and expressions from the audio recording, with definitions and usage notes.
7. Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
8. Practical English — Learn phrases for making weekend plans with a friend — ready to use in real conversations.
9. Cloze passage — Fill in blanks within a connected text to practise vocabulary in context.
10. Reading — Read a short passage on the topic and answer comprehension questions.
11. Discussion — Reflect on the topic and share your opinions using the language you've learned.

Vocabulary

This lesson introduces 5 key terms drawn directly from the audio recording:

• Be keen on (doing) something — to be very interested in or enthusiastic about an activity or subject.
• Can't stand (doing) something — to have a strong dislike for something.
• It depends on... — used to say that your choice is affected by another factor, like the weather, your mood, or the cost.
• Have a lie-in — to stay in bed later than usual in the morning.
• I'm easy / I don't mind either way — a phrase used to say you are happy with any of the choices offered.

Grammar

This lesson focuses on Expressing preferences with 'would rather' and 'prefer'.

We use 'would rather' and 'prefer' to talk about what we want in a specific situation or in general. They are very useful for discussing choices about daily activities or weekend plans, but they follow different grammar rules.

Examples from the lesson:

• I'd rather go to the park than stay at home. — Use 'would rather' + base verb (go) + 'than' + base verb (stay). Notice there is no 'to' after 'rather'.
• I prefer watching a movie at home to going to the cinema. — Use 'prefer' + verb-ing (watching) + 'to' + verb-ing (going) to compare two activities.
• Would you prefer to eat now or later? — You can also use 'prefer' with a to-infinitive, especially in questions with 'would'.

Key rules:

• After 'would rather', always use the base form of the verb (e.g., 'do', not 'to do' or 'doing').
• When comparing two things with 'prefer', use 'to' (e.g., 'I prefer coffee to tea').
• When comparing two actions with 'would rather', use 'than' (e.g., 'I'd rather walk than drive').

Practical English

Making weekend plans with a friend

When you're making plans, you often need to suggest ideas, agree or disagree, and confirm the final choice. Here are some natural phrases to help you discuss your preferences with a friend.

Phrases you'll learn:

• "What are you in the mood for?" — A friendly way to ask what someone wants to do.
• "I'm not a huge fan of that idea." — A polite way to say you don't like a suggestion.
• "I'd rather do something a bit more active." — To state your preference clearly after another idea has been mentioned.
• "That sounds like a great plan." — To show you agree with a suggestion and are happy with it.
• "How about we go for a pizza instead?" — To offer an alternative suggestion.